Iraq has officially expressed its interest in joining the BRICS alliance in 2026 ahead of the upcoming summit in New Delhi, India. The 18th summit is scheduled to be held in September and is chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Apart from Iraq, Bangladesh has also expressed interest in joining the bloc and is looking to seek membership.

The two countries that want to join the BRICS alliance in 2026 are Iraq and Bangladesh. The Iraqi ambassador to Russia, Abdul-Karim Hashim Mostafa, said that the country would like to be a part of the grouping. He stressed that Iraq is ready to meet the bloc’s entrance requirements and future structure.

The diplomat also praised the BRICS alliance, calling it a “very significant group.” He expressed that someday Iraq would like to become a member and contribute to its power threshold. Baghdad revealed that if the group sends an invitation, the country will readily accept it. BRICS is a promising bloc where developing countries are finding it attractive to become a member.

Developing countries are seeing strategic advantages, as the BRICS alliance brings in new opportunities for trade. The founding members have been routinely rewriting trade deals to boost their financial stature. In addition, prominence to local currencies to settle cross-border transactions comes first in line. This makes local businesses thrive and also strengthens the country’s respective GDP.

Also Read: BRICS Not Working on a Unified Alternative International Currency

Will the BRICS Alliance Induct Iraq & Bangladesh Next?

flag of Iraq and Bangladesh
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The expansion of the BRICS alliance could be discussed at the upcoming summit in September. However, there is no guarantee that Iraq and Bangladesh will receive an invitation to join the group. The expansion is consensus-based, but Russia has hinted that it could likely invite Bangladesh next.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov explained that there’s a pause in expansion after five new countries were added in 2024. “But our stance on Bangladesh’s candidature when this pause is over is as follows: we will welcome the candidature of this large and important Asian nation,” Lavrov stressed.

  • Bangladesh
  • BRICS
  • Iraq